you, reader, and process

Writing Prompt: Gleeful Destruction

This picture got me thinking about gleeful destruction. This destruction could be celebratory like when children break a pinata. Or the delight might come from accidental destruction, maybe a burst seam during a vigorous pillow fight. Or the glee might follow deliberate destruction — a defeated enemy, severed chains, a poisonous relationship ended.

This week’s writing prompt: Plan or write a scene of gleeful destruction. Go ahead and focus on the joy but also consider ways such scenes can move the larger story towards the climax.

Some of my ideas…

Include an onlooker. Why doesn’t he join in? Maybe he holds a grudge or is in too much pain.

End the scene with a hint of the consequences of the destructive act.

Play with the sense of “fun”, maybe making it forced or desperate.

What are your ideas for adding complexity to such a scene or connecting the scene to the bigger story?